Photo of the Day PhotooftheDay3.jpg
This folder is the only one on the Members Archive that is free to the public, all others are hidden. In here you can see how Members can view the photos, from medium size to 'original' size by clicking on the 'Photo Sizes' icon above right.
If you're not a member yet then why not sign up today for access to 50,000 other images like this, all from private collections that we've purchased over the years.
This folder is the only one on the Members Archive that is free to the public, all others are hidden. In here you can see how Members can view the photos, from medium size to 'original' size by clicking on the 'Photo Sizes' icon above right. If you're not a member yet then why not sign up today for access to 50,000 other images like this, all from private collections that we've purchased over the years.
HK832 Fairchild 91 DSB8011.jpg
A rare photo of HK832 which was used for casualty evacuation and air sea rescue in the Middle East by various units. During its life, it sported several paint schemes, this one is believed to be overall black with red codes. The nose art shows a stork carrying a pilot in a dinghy and might have been filled in with colour later on, although the aircraft was lost in May 1943, probably not long after this photo was taken.
A rare photo of HK832 which was used for casualty evacuation and air sea rescue in the Middle East by various units. During its life, it sported several paint schemes, this one is believed to be overall black with red codes. The nose art shows a stork carrying a pilot in a dinghy and might have been filled in with colour later on, although the aircraft was lost in May 1943, probably not long after this photo was taken.
Supermarine Spitfire V DW24pt6-150.jpg
Today's photo of the day is a real source of inspiration for the average modeller! It depicts a Spitfire of 453 Squadron RAAF at Drem in August 1942 with the pilots posing for the Press photographer. The Spitfire in the background is seemingly half painted, with a very light grey paint covering the rudder and part of the nose but running out just past the skyband. It's either in the middle of a repaint, or they just ran out of grey paint/inspiration...
Today's photo of the day is a real source of inspiration for the average modeller! It depicts a Spitfire of 453 Squadron RAAF at Drem in August 1942 with the pilots posing for the Press photographer. The Spitfire in the background is seemingly half painted, with a very light grey paint covering the rudder and part of the nose but running out just past the skyband. It's either in the middle of a repaint, or they just ran out of grey paint/inspiration...
Hawker Hurricane I LCG1359.jpg
This is an intriguing photo of a belly-landed Hurricane Mk I, GZ-M of 32 Sqn somewhere in France, 1940. The wooden Rotol prop blades have shattered of course and the spinner is the typical 'oversized' blunt Rotol spinner. The interesting thing is the back of the spinner which seems to have had a flared plate fitted to make it even more 'oversize' where it meets the fuselage. We've never seen this flared plate before on other Rotol spinners, anyone know any more?
This is an intriguing photo of a belly-landed Hurricane Mk I, GZ-M of 32 Sqn somewhere in France, 1940. The wooden Rotol prop blades have shattered of course and the spinner is the typical 'oversized' blunt Rotol spinner. The interesting thing is the back of the spinner which seems to have had a flared plate fitted to make it even more 'oversize' where it meets the fuselage. We've never seen this flared plate before on other Rotol spinners, anyone know any more?
NV191 Bristol Beaufighter TF X DW24-045.jpg
This photo (and the one accompanying it) are quite baffling! They show Beaufighter TF X NV191, EE-R, of 404 Sqn RCAF after being 'stabbed' through the roundel by an Airspeed Oxford's wing. Apart from the precise hit on the roundel, one wonders exactly how an Oxford could poke its wing sideways through a Beaufighter fuselage? Or maybe it was suicide and the Beaufighter impaled itself on the Oxford? Anyone care to take a guess?!
This photo (and the one accompanying it) are quite baffling! They show Beaufighter TF X NV191, EE-R, of 404 Sqn RCAF after being 'stabbed' through the roundel by an Airspeed Oxford's wing. Apart from the precise hit on the roundel, one wonders exactly how an Oxford could poke its wing sideways through a Beaufighter fuselage? Or maybe it was suicide and the Beaufighter impaled itself on the Oxford? Anyone care to take a guess?!
NV191 Bristol Beaufighter TF X DW24-031.jpg
Beaufighter TF X NV191, EE-R, 404 Sqn, October 1944 after being 'stabbed' by an Airspeed Oxford! The Oxford's wing went right through the Beaufighter's fuselage, see the accompanying photo!
Beaufighter TF X NV191, EE-R, 404 Sqn, October 1944 after being 'stabbed' by an Airspeed Oxford! The Oxford's wing went right through the Beaufighter's fuselage, see the accompanying photo!
DZ353 de Havilland Mosquito DW24pt2-063.jpg
Just a lovely photo of Mosquitos in low winter light! DZ353 GB-E and DZ367 GB-J of 105 Sqn taken in December 1942
Just a lovely photo of Mosquitos in low winter light! DZ353 GB-E and DZ367 GB-J of 105 Sqn taken in December 1942
Messerschmitt 109E DK - 740.jpg
A rare colour photo taken in Canada post-war, showing the fuselage of Messerschmitt 109E 1190 4/JG26 flown by Uffz Horst Perez and shot down at East Dean - 30 September 1940. The 109 is currently on show at the IWM Museum Duxford in England. Interestingly you can see that 'White 4' originally had a Kommodore's double chevron marking, which was then painted over with the white 4 and the 4/JG26 tiger's head motif.
A rare colour photo taken in Canada post-war, showing the fuselage of Messerschmitt 109E 1190 4/JG26 flown by Uffz Horst Perez and shot down at East Dean - 30 September 1940. The 109 is currently on show at the IWM Museum Duxford in England. Interestingly you can see that 'White 4' originally had a Kommodore's double chevron marking, which was then painted over with the white 4 and the 4/JG26 tiger's head motif.
Consolidated Catalina RKCat0054.jpg
Today's Photo of the Day is a close up of an RAF Consolidated Catalina's beam gun position. Enclosed in a large streamlined cupola, the gunner had a pair of Vickers guns to ward off any enemy fighters although we think this chap may just be posing for the Press photographer! The stencilling is interesting, were these really made of glass and not Perspex?
Today's Photo of the Day is a close up of an RAF Consolidated Catalina's beam gun position. Enclosed in a large streamlined cupola, the gunner had a pair of Vickers guns to ward off any enemy fighters although we think this chap may just be posing for the Press photographer! The stencilling is interesting, were these really made of glass and not Perspex?
N1526 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley MB0025.jpg
N1526 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley over Blenheim Palace, 10 OTU 1940. Interesting wing stripe. Possibly some form of red doped repair to the aircraft wing fabric as it crashed on 11 October 1940 when a large section of wing fabric tore away.
N1526 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley over Blenheim Palace, 10 OTU 1940. Interesting wing stripe. Possibly some form of red doped repair to the aircraft wing fabric as it crashed on 11 October 1940 when a large section of wing fabric tore away.
AN530 Boeing B-17 Fortress MkI MYS0971.jpg
A very nice air to air of one of the RAF's first 'high altitude bombers' the Boeing Fortress MkI. AN530 is seen in the markings of 90 Squadron as it was introduced into service in summer 1941. These early B-17s were quite problematic and were eventually replaced by more reliable bombers, with the surviving early Fortresses being transferred to Coastal Command.
A very nice air to air of one of the RAF's first 'high altitude bombers' the Boeing Fortress MkI. AN530 is seen in the markings of 90 Squadron as it was introduced into service in summer 1941. These early B-17s were quite problematic and were eventually replaced by more reliable bombers, with the surviving early Fortresses being transferred to Coastal Command.
P4338 Handley Page Hampden NP0076.jpg
P4338 Handley Page Hampden. A rare photo of the prototype Rose powered free gun installation, 20 January 1944, A&AEE.
P4338 Handley Page Hampden. A rare photo of the prototype Rose powered free gun installation, 20 January 1944, A&AEE.
NX942 Supermarine Seafire Ib DK 946.jpg
A rare colour photo of Supermarine Seafire NX942 AC-E of 736 Naval Air Squadron probably at Yeovilton in September 1943. Sub-Lieutenant Harold Salisbury is the pilot in the foreground. Of interest to modellers are the two very different blues in the fuselage roundels of the two Seafires and the yellow squadron codes.
A rare colour photo of Supermarine Seafire NX942 AC-E of 736 Naval Air Squadron probably at Yeovilton in September 1943. Sub-Lieutenant Harold Salisbury is the pilot in the foreground. Of interest to modellers are the two very different blues in the fuselage roundels of the two Seafires and the yellow squadron codes.
Cadet Training WW1Northants-149.jpg
Now just think of the fun you could have with this bad boy! Looking like a summer holidays project, this is actually lRFC cadet training, at the School of Armament, 2 SMA, Oxford around 1918
Now just think of the fun you could have with this bad boy! Looking like a summer holidays project, this is actually lRFC cadet training, at the School of Armament, 2 SMA, Oxford around 1918
RAF Recce photo - Mystery markings DS0628.jpg
Mystery picture. Vertical aerial reconnaissance view of the landing ground at Umm el Ghindel, Libya, ploughed up before it was abandoned by the Luftwaffe, in order to delay or prevent its use by the Allied forces during their advance on Sirte. Very dark because of the red soil. Three tractors were used. January 1943
Mystery picture. Vertical aerial reconnaissance view of the landing ground at Umm el Ghindel, Libya, ploughed up before it was abandoned by the Luftwaffe, in order to delay or prevent its use by the Allied forces during their advance on Sirte. Very dark because of the red soil. Three tractors were used. January 1943
EN821 Supermarine Spitfire Vb RKSpit0039.jpg
A superb shot of Spitfires of 243 Sqn, SN-M is EN821 and was eventually shot down on D-Day whilst flying with 808 Sqn. The two nearest Spitfires display the unusual feature of the gun apertures being painted white. Also note that SN-V only has the outer machine gun fitted and the 'S' code is in a different style to the others.
A superb shot of Spitfires of 243 Sqn, SN-M is EN821 and was eventually shot down on D-Day whilst flying with 808 Sqn. The two nearest Spitfires display the unusual feature of the gun apertures being painted white. Also note that SN-V only has the outer machine gun fitted and the 'S' code is in a different style to the others.
Bristol Blenheim BN2216.jpg
One of the most popular uses of the Wingleader Archive is as a modeller's instant reference guide. The 40,000+ photos contain all sorts of detail photos of military aircraft from 1910 through to 1970, including this close up of the machine gun pack fitted to a Bristol Blenheim IV at Bircham Newton in 1940. The aircraft presumably has been painted with Sky undersides and the dark staining around the two guns on the right of the photo is where the previous black/white scheme has worn through. If you have Photoshop then you can download the 1500pw large version of this image and pull the shadows out to reveal more detail.
One of the most popular uses of the Wingleader Archive is as a modeller's instant reference guide. The 40,000+ photos contain all sorts of detail photos of military aircraft from 1910 through to 1970, including this close up of the machine gun pack fitted to a Bristol Blenheim IV at Bircham Newton in 1940. The aircraft presumably has been painted with Sky undersides and the dark staining around the two guns on the right of the photo is where the previous black/white scheme has worn through. If you have Photoshop then you can download the 1500pw large version of this image and pull the shadows out to reveal more detail.
Avro Lancaster CE0143.jpg
An interesting photo today, taken from a Lancaster in a steep climbing turn being pursued by a fighter. The mid-upper gunner has spotted the fighter and is moving his turret to engage. However, a closer look at the photo would suggest that the fighter is a Tempest and so this is probably a post-war fighter affiliation exercise.
An interesting photo today, taken from a Lancaster in a steep climbing turn being pursued by a fighter. The mid-upper gunner has spotted the fighter and is moving his turret to engage. However, a closer look at the photo would suggest that the fighter is a Tempest and so this is probably a post-war fighter affiliation exercise.
Lockheed Ventura FB241.jpg
The official caption for this Press photos is 'Carrier Pigeon being taken out of a bomber after a raid'. (Photo issued June 1943) We think it's a Ventura but what do you think?
The official caption for this Press photos is 'Carrier Pigeon being taken out of a bomber after a raid'. (Photo issued June 1943) We think it's a Ventura but what do you think?
Grahame-White Type 10 Charabanc FB062.jpg
Giving eight of your mates a lift in the back of your hatchback is clearly not a modern invention! This photo shows Louis Noël in the Grahame-White Type 10 Charabanc at Hendon on 2 October 1913 shortly before his record flight carrying NINE (nervous looking) passengers weighing 1,371.5lb for 19mins 47secs.The aircraft’s designer, J.D. North (later to be managing director for Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd.), can be seen fourth from the left.
Giving eight of your mates a lift in the back of your hatchback is clearly not a modern invention! This photo shows Louis Noël in the Grahame-White Type 10 Charabanc at Hendon on 2 October 1913 shortly before his record flight carrying NINE (nervous looking) passengers weighing 1,371.5lb for 19mins 47secs.The aircraft’s designer, J.D. North (later to be managing director for Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd.), can be seen fourth from the left.
Short Stirling Bomb Aimer DS0259.jpg
This wartime Press photo shows a bomb aimer in position in the nose of a Short Stirling heavy bomber. It's probably just as well that RAF Bomber Command didn't employ any 'health and safety' people as this confined space is the stuff of their nightmares! Just look at all the sharp edges, the lack of any form of padding, and the amount of things that you can bang your head on. If the Stirling existed today, it would be covered in yellow and black danger signs...
Of course, the Stirling bomb aimers didn't worry about trivial things like this, they were more concerned about the sub-zero slipstream working its way through the thin perspex and metal panels and of course the ever present danger of being shot at. Add in a constant amount of turbulence or corkscrewing over enemy territory and it made for an unbelievably stressful and uncomfortable ride.
Now consider that these men were all volunteers who simply wanted to 'do their bit'. Each one had to complete 30 operations, and when the Stirling was operational, the chances of any of them completing 30 were close to zero.
This wartime Press photo shows a bomb aimer in position in the nose of a Short Stirling heavy bomber. It's probably just as well that RAF Bomber Command didn't employ any 'health and safety' people as this confined space is the stuff of their nightmares! Just look at all the sharp edges, the lack of any form of padding, and the amount of things that you can bang your head on. If the Stirling existed today, it would be covered in yellow and black danger signs... Of course, the Stirling bomb aimers didn't worry about trivial things like this, they were more concerned about the sub-zero slipstream working its way through the thin perspex and metal panels and of course the ever present danger of being shot at. Add in a constant amount of turbulence or corkscrewing over enemy territory and it made for an unbelievably stressful and uncomfortable ride. Now consider that these men were all volunteers who simply wanted to 'do their bit'. Each one had to complete 30 operations, and when the Stirling was operational, the chances of any of them completing 30 were close to zero.
WAAF equipment suppliers WAH429.jpg
"Pattie of Sutton supplies a nose". Urgent requests for spare parts of every description were sent to the local Equipment Park. As soon as an aircraft, crippled in battle, had landed at an airfield in the area, the damage was ascertained, and a signal for equipment submitted, headed by letters "A.O.G." Aircraft on ground. Personnel then gave the demand their immediate attention. The most important feature of this equipment park was that it is the first unit to be entirely staffed by WAAF personnel, Commanding Officer, equipment assistants, Telephone and Teleprinter operators, clerks cooks, waitresses and administrative staff. The unit operated 24 hours a day. Photo dated 11.03.1944 Can anyone identify the aircraft type that the spinner is intended for?
"Pattie of Sutton supplies a nose". Urgent requests for spare parts of every description were sent to the local Equipment Park. As soon as an aircraft, crippled in battle, had landed at an airfield in the area, the damage was ascertained, and a signal for equipment submitted, headed by letters "A.O.G." Aircraft on ground. Personnel then gave the demand their immediate attention. The most important feature of this equipment park was that it is the first unit to be entirely staffed by WAAF personnel, Commanding Officer, equipment assistants, Telephone and Teleprinter operators, clerks cooks, waitresses and administrative staff. The unit operated 24 hours a day. Photo dated 11.03.1944 Can anyone identify the aircraft type that the spinner is intended for?
HR837 Handley Page Halifax BN5822.jpg
Sergeant Duncan Cameron (top) sits on a hole made in his 158 Sqn Halifax by a falling bomb over Cologne on 28 June 1943. The crew brought the badly damaged Halifax back to Lissett, where they were photographed for the Press the following day. Mid Upper gunner, Sgt Alan Young, seems to have had a lucky escape with just a scratch above his left eye!
Sergeant Duncan Cameron (top) sits on a hole made in his 158 Sqn Halifax by a falling bomb over Cologne on 28 June 1943. The crew brought the badly damaged Halifax back to Lissett, where they were photographed for the Press the following day. Mid Upper gunner, Sgt Alan Young, seems to have had a lucky escape with just a scratch above his left eye!
B-17 Gunner's Dingy Drill A14599w.jpg
B-17 Gunner's Dingy Drill. England - colour photo. S/Sgt. Verne F. Woodward, Greenwich, NY, waist gunner on a B-17 of the pioneer heavy bombardment group of the 8th AF, turns the crank on an emergency radio transmitter.
B-17 Gunner's Dingy Drill. England - colour photo. S/Sgt. Verne F. Woodward, Greenwich, NY, waist gunner on a B-17 of the pioneer heavy bombardment group of the 8th AF, turns the crank on an emergency radio transmitter.
North American P-51 Mustang A03164w.jpg
interesting air to air of MC-G 414003 as it pulls in tight to the wing of another Mustang 20th FG ... 1945
interesting air to air of MC-G 414003 as it pulls in tight to the wing of another Mustang 20th FG ... 1945
North American Mustang I CE0078.jpg
close up of spinner, note the overspray on blades
close up of spinner, note the overspray on blades
HG226 Vickers Armstrong Warwick RM0440.jpg
Vickers Armstrong Warwick HG226
Vickers Armstrong Warwick HG226
Boeing B-17 DS0742.jpg
Boeing B-17 RAF waist gunner, 90 Squadron
Boeing B-17 RAF waist gunner, 90 Squadron
Martin B-26 Marauder A09573w.jpg
an interesting air to air taken over a pilot's shoulder of an RAF Marauder 39 Sqn
an interesting air to air taken over a pilot's shoulder of an RAF Marauder 39 Sqn
N3669 Short Stirling RKStir0009.jpg
Stirling N3669 LS-H of 15 Sqn on display near Foster Lane in London
Stirling N3669 LS-H of 15 Sqn on display near Foster Lane in London
Werra, Franz von, Lt. LCG0374.jpg
Lt Franz von Werra, Gruppen-Adjutant of II/JG 3 with his Bf 109E-4, W.Nr.1480 and the Gruppe mascot Simba.
Lt Franz von Werra, Gruppen-Adjutant of II/JG 3 with his Bf 109E-4, W.Nr.1480 and the Gruppe mascot Simba.
